This month's featured volunteer is Mrs. Ruth Cahn. Back in 1991, as a volunteer for the Central Park Conservatory, Ruth saw a donation can for GLWD and thought, "I can do that." Which is exactly what she did! For the next 12 years and counting, Ruth has been working the same Tuesday morning shift at God's Love We Deliver, packing out delicious meals and making friends along the way. Often she stays after the pack-out and assists the chefs - tackling projects.

After retiring as a school librarian, Ruth and her husband have been as busy as ever. They both "love the city, and try to get out as much as we can." The pair's way of getting out and about is by giving back to the community. The two volunteer at Riverside Park from April to October, and have participated in the Annual AIDS Walk for the past 12 years. Ruth also volunteers at a reading program for school children one day a week, all in addition to her Tuesday mornings at the GLWD kitchen. Whew! Ruth says that "now that we are retired, we still have to get up and work really early in the morning!"

Even Ruth's extended family gets in on the act. During the holidays, her husband volunteers with God's Love We Deliver, and Ruth brings her grandchildren to decorate gingerbread houses. The kids seem to love GLWD as much as their granny; 6-year-old Sam even learned one of the most important words in the English language from one of our chefs: "buffet". "See, God's Love can teach everyone, young or old, a thing or two!"

Ruth enjoys the atmosphere at GLWD, and "loves the other volunteers" because, "they are like my family there!" She has gotten to meet people "that I never would have met before," and loves their company and suggestions. When she goes on vacation with her family, Ruth always knows the best places to go, eat, and stay. When her companions ask her how she got the info, Ruth simply replies: "One of my Tuesday people, of course!" The friendships she has made through volunteering are invaluable, and she has given her friendship to many during her steady presence at GLWD.